Pat Richards returns to Wests Tigers

[BrotherJim05]

Just read above...does Nufo have experience in the Centres? I could see him ripping it up there in time, has a really good mind for footy

 

[JoeyFish]

Be interested to see what potter does with koro when he is fit. Must say I was prety glad to see nofo under those high balls in the wet on Saturday night

 

[madunit]

I just don't see the purpose in signing Richards, whether he's good or not.

Tedesco, Meaney, Nofoaluma, Taqele, Simona, Koroibete, Ayshford and Lawrence to cover the backline is more than enough. Richards' signing for mine does nothing but alienates maybe 1-2 of the younger players who might consider leaving, which would be horribly wrong.

Richards would be getting paid more than 6-7 of those 8 players too I'd suspect, which makes his signing even more trivial in my view.

Could have used that coin on some back row and front row depth.

 

[Radical Rat]

Be interested to see what potter does with koro when he is fit. Must say I was prety glad to see nofo under those high balls in the wet on Saturday night

Totally agree. I love Koro but his hands have let him down big time. He would have been a disaster under those high balls.

I see Simona and Nofo well ahead of him.

 

[Radical Rat]

I just don't see the purpose in signing Richards, whether he's good or not.

Tedesco, Meaney, Nofoaluma, Taqele, Simona, Koroibete, Ayshford and Lawrence to cover the backline is more than enough. Richards' signing for mine does nothing but alienates maybe 1-2 of the younger players who might consider leaving, which would be horribly wrong.

Richards would be getting paid more than 6-7 of those 8 players too I'd suspect, which makes his signing even more trivial in my view.

Could have used that coin on some back row and front row depth.

Totally agree and I'm betting in hindsight the board would as well.

But this deal would have been made months ago. At the time Utai/Tuqiri/Koro were our first picked if fit. They obviously didn't have the faith that Nofoaluma and Simona would come on as they have.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

Marika Koroibete would be best served with playing in the NSW Cup and developing his handling skills and getting a greater understanding of the plays of league.

He does not have the league background like the other youngsters we have, even the U20's where the scores are 38 to 36 - you know what I mean - has not helped him.

He played for his school in Fiji but was that rugby or league? I'd bet it was rugby and if anyone has ever watched a game, in Fiji, it's more touch football than anything else.

 

[Matchball]

The energy MK brings is amazing but probably won't have long term prospects in league if he can't stop the handling errors.
I'll never forget when he smashed Sandow as he was headed to the line. What a huge heart.

 

[benched tiger]

I not totally sure but i have heard Richards has also played fullback,centre and second row whilst in the ESL.

 

[b.bear]

I just don't see the purpose in signing Richards, whether he's good or not.

Tedesco, Meaney, Nofoaluma, Taqele, Simona, Koroibete, Ayshford and Lawrence to cover the backline is more than enough. Richards' signing for mine does nothing but alienates maybe 1-2 of the younger players who might consider leaving, which would be horribly wrong.

Richards would be getting paid more than 6-7 of those 8 players too I'd suspect, which makes his signing even more trivial in my view.

Could have used that coin on some back row and front row depth.

To much coin to late (30+ years of age)

 

[boonboon]

We are loosing at least 2 outside backs at the end of the year in Tuqiri and Utai so they needed to be replaced. Their would be few better professionals then richards for Simona, nofoaluma and Koroibete to learn from. He is the ultimate professional , great under the high ball, fantastic goal kicker and drop outs and a top class try scorer. He is in my opinion just the signing for our club and will bring great experience given who we are loosing. As for who plays next year here is a unique idea -whoever is best for the position come the start of the year plays and who isn't doesn't obviously taking into account injuries

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Id keep Lote on an incentive deal but starts season in reggies well behind our current wingers.
Injury has cruelled his last two seasons....not poor form.
Might still have something left....

 

[TYGA]

1st Grade Outside Backs:
1) Tedesco 2) Koro 3) Nofo 4) Ayshford 5) Simona.

NSW Cup Outside Backs:
1) Moltzen 2) Taqele 3) Lawrence 4) Reddy 5) Richards

With a weak squad we have too much depth in the backs even with people leaving.

 

[magpie guy]

1st Grade Outside Backs:
1) Tedesco 2) Koro 3) Nofo 4) Ayshford 5) Simona.

NSW Cup Outside Backs:
1) Moltzen 2) Taqele 3) Lawrence 4) Reddy 5) Richards

With a weak squad we have too much depth in the backs even with people leaving.

1. Teddy 2. Koro 3. Nofo 4. Lawrence 5. Richards

Simona would def be vying for a spot with recent performances and can cover injuries at wing, centre and fullback. Ayshford has to go to second row you would think. Lawrence I think needs to either drop weight and gain speed or bulk up looking for a second row spot. Taqele is a big unit and could possibly land in the forwards as well but looks like a good prospect.

Reddy, Moltz, Utai and Lote should not be signed again except maybe on low coin as depth but it looks like we already have that for next year.

Woods, Blair, Galloway, BMM in our prop rotation and Groat, Buchanan et al. as depth our props look solid so it is a matter of the backrow. Some combination of Ayshford, Fulton, Anasta, Bell and Siro? Still need a premier backrower ala Ellis and I think that is the signing we are all waiting on.

 

[R2Coupe]

If the plan is to not re-new the contracts of Utai, Tuqiri and Reddy we need to hasten the development of the next wave of outside backs. Kurtis Rowe and Paul Simona are two which come to mind.

Two of our players from the Balmain SG Ball team had made the CCC side for the upcoming Schoolboy Tournament. Junior Tatola, a second row forward from Holy Cross Ryde (brother of Fosio) and Tom Satterthwaite, a try scoring centre from Orange, have made the team. Junior is a big unit and played a good game against Redcliffe and Satterthwaite is a big and fast centre and a real prospect. Well done.

 

[Matchball]

Our goalkicking for 2014 will be much improved if Richards gets the job.
Safe to say he will be our first choice goal kicker?

 

[BrotherJim05]

Would be Anasta or Richards

 

[Matchball]

Would be Anasta or Richards

Anasta is on par with Benji on the terms of gaol kicking.
Richards kicking can actually win us the close games.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Yeah alot of people aren't too keen on Richards but I think he has massive potential.....nothing wrong about experience amongst our backs

 

[madunit]

So he's essentially going to be a Luke Covell type selection in the team.

 

[magpie guy]

So he's essentially going to be a Luke Covell type selection in the team.

I think Richards will bring more to the team than just goal kicking. He is strong under the high ball, will give a kicking target for us, is big and strong and a proven finisher. The only thing to really worry about is how his age will injuries and speed.

His goal kicking ability will probably be a boon as without Benji, and Anasta playing in the forwards/not playing, he is the obvious choice. Unfortunately it will probably mean that one of the young guys Koro, Nofo, Simona or Teddy will miss out on a spot in the starting side.

I think he will be a handy signing though in hindsight not entirely necessary. Remembering he was signed before we knew that Koro and Simona were going to perform as well as they have.